Virginia Intermont basketball coach keeping the faith

BRISTOL, Va. – As the son of a Southern Baptist minister, Scott Hoagland has heard many sermons on the importance of keeping the faith in the midst of challenging journeys.

Those teaching and preaching sessions now serve as a guidepost for the 32-year-old Hoagland.

“God will never put more on you than you can handle,” Hoagland said. “Every time that you go through a bump in life, God is trying to teach a lesson somewhere.”

As the head coach of the Virginia Intermont College men’s basketball team, Hoagland is currently trying to navigate some major bumps.

The Cobra Den

Of the 15 players on the VI roster, 12 are either freshmen or sophomores. Not surprisingly, the NAIA Division II Cobras (1-22) have struggled in the Appalachian Athletic Conference.

The situation became even grimmer recently when former VI President Michael Puglisi resigned suddenly. To the dismay of current and former students, the small private college is facing a new round a financial woes along with a fresh wave of rumors.

Nearly 20 percent of the school’s employees have been laid off.

As the winter rain added to the mood on the VI campus Wednesday afternoon, Hoagland spoke with equal doses of confidence and realism.

“I don’t want to jump to any conclusions,” Hoagland said. “Basically, what I told my guys was to just stay in a holding pattern. We will get a little better feel for what’s going on and then see how much we will be impacted. I will treat each player as if they are my own child.”

For at least the remainder of this season, Hoagland will have the services of assistant coach Louis Collier. A Powell Valley native, Collier doubles as the golf coach for the Cobras. Due to the budget dilemma, the future of a men’s basketball assistant remains unclear.

“Looking at the prospect of having to run a complete season by myself, that’s a very daunting feeling and I don’t think the institution is going to put itself in that position,” Hoagland said.

Hoagland said he believes that the dark clouds will eventually clear at VI. It’s a message he plans to share with recruits.

“I’m comfortable that there is going to be a basketball program and school here next year,” Hoagland said.

VI athletic director Chris Holt offered the same reassuring message. Holt, and other VI coaches, met with interim VI president Robert Rainwater Wednesday.

“Our intention is continue to be an institution for another 125 years here,” Holt said. “We’ve got coaches still on staff that are committed to the students, the administration is committed to the students, and we’re going to do everything we can to make it the best experience possible for students.”

The Underdogs

VI sophomore guard Ben Mulkey scored over 1,300 points at Richlands High School. Mulkey wasn’t enticed to the Cobra program by fantastic promises or elaborate facilities. He came for the simple opportunity to pursue his passion.

“At this level, you are just playing for the love of the game,” Mulkey said. “None of us are going to play at the next level.”

With its nationally-recognized equestrian, photography and arts programs, diversity has long been one of the main drawing cards at VI. The men’s and women’s basketball hold their home games at Virginia High School, one mile from campus.

“It kind of takes a special person to play here,” Mulkey said. “VI doesn’t have the glamour of a big-time program. The facilities are 100 percent nicer across town at King College. But basketball is basketball, no matter where you’re at.”

Mulkey admitted that financial uncertainties have compounded the obstacles for the young Cobras. He prefers to focus on the short term.

“Realistically, none of us could be here next year,” Mulkey said. “That has to weigh on your mind, but we’re just thinking about our next class, next practice and next game. We can reevaluate things after the season.”

Oak Hill connection

The walls of Hoagland’s office in the VI student office are lined with memories of happy days and grand victories. Hoagland had a highly-productive three-year stint as head coach of the Red team at famed Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va.

While stocked with talented athletes, the Red team consists of players who serve in an understudy role to the elite Oak Hill varsity program.

“I won 114 games in three years,” said Hoagland. “That’s a lot of basketball. I’m not used to losing.”

During Hoagland’s time at the isolated Oak Hill campus he worked with and befriended a number of current National Basketball Association stars such as Carmelo Anthony, Josh Smith, Ty Lawson and Brandon Jennings. Framed autograph photos featuring Anthony, Smith and North Carolina head basketball coach Roy Williams now hang on the wall behind Hoagland’s desk.

Hoagland has noticed several parallels between Virginia Intermont and Oak Hill, particularly in the international flavored melting pot of students.
While the old Cobra Den basketball court on the VI campus evokes images of the spartan Oak Hill gym, the talent gap is wide. When Hoagland accepted the head coaching position at VI three years ago, there were just seven players on the roster.

“I took the job three weeks before school started, so I had to bring some guys in from different places,” said Hoagland, who posted a 10-18 record that first season. “You have to survive before you can thrive.”

Trial by fire

Survival-mode would be a good term for the 2009-10 edition of the Cobras. The first hurdle came in the preseason when projected starting point guard Mario Lomax was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat. Lomax was eventually sidelined for the season.

That forced former Gate City standout Tihlee Anderson to take over the starting point guard role as a true freshman. The non-conference schedule featured Mountain State University, ranked No. 1 among NAIA Division I schools at the time.
The transition process was brutal for the 10 VI newcomers.

“We’re the youngest team in our conference, and I would say that we’re one of the youngest teams in the country,” said Hoagland, who can offer six full scholarships in his program. “We’re trying to lay a foundation here.”

Hoagland has relied on the versatile tandem of 6-foot-4 junior guard Wade Bryant and 6-5 forward Marquette Knight. Bryant is a transfer from Pellissippi State Community College in the Knoxville area, while Knight played at Nashville State Community College. Both players had not played basketball on the competitive level for over a year before landing at VI.

“Wade and Marquette have been great players, and I expect them to be great again next year,” Hoagland said.

Despite the woeful record, Hoagland has been pleased with the maturation and perseverance of his team. The Cobras have been close to several breakthrough victories, but have been hurt by stretches of lackluster play.

“Yeah the record has been rough, but the attitude of these guys has made it bearable,” Hoagland said. “They have come into practice every day and given their very best without question.”

Staying the course

The losses and the questions continue to pile up, yet Hoagland somehow manages to keep the faith.

“[VI] hasn’t always been the easiest of places to coach,” Hoagland said. “We’ve gone through such a tumultuous time. When I took this job, we were at the tail end of the first run of the financial issues here. And now this.
“But the level of commitment is there from the administration. We will just have to see what happens with the school financially and where things go.”
Meanwhile, the animated coach remains securely attached to his spiritual roots.

“I have faith that things will work out,” Hoagland said.

agregory@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2544